Legendary Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett is set to leave the club at the end of the 2018 season, according to Nine NRL reporter Neil Breen.
Breen believes the Broncos delivered the news to Bennett during the week, after Bennett called a meeting with Brisbane CEO Paul White to discuss his future.
Bennett is currently contracted until the end of the 2019 season, but it looks as though he could be moved on a year earlier.
“The situation is Bennett’s finished at the Broncos,” Breen told 100% Footy on Monday night.
“Wayne Bennett called the meeting with the board and [Broncos CEO] Paul White to say I want to talk about 2020 and beyond, and they said ‘we’re glad you came in, you’re not the person, we’re going to be succession planning in place’.
“They went into that meeting with Wayne that Wayne called and said ‘Wayne, it’s over’.”
Bellamy is the hot favourite to replace Bennett, with reports surfacing last week that the Broncos have already spoken to the Storm boss about bringing him to Brisbane.
"The situation is that away from these contracts, Bellamy is breaking up with one manager and signing up with a new manager,” Breen said.
“He doesn’t want to sign any contract until he has the new deal with the new manager and the deal with the old manager is finished.
“If Bellamy says he’ll go there next year, that’s it the Broncos will pay Bennett out.”
Breen went on to suggest Queensland coach Kevin Walters was a candidate for the job, but given the fact the Broncos have overlooked him on countless occasions, the Maroons boss isn't likely to join Brisbane.